French Duo (Mitch Gordon and Roz Reynolds)

The Avocet French Duo consists of Roz Reynolds on French hurdy gurdy, and Mitch Gordon on button accordions (and hurdy-gurdy and French bagpipe). These instruments, and the music that we play on them, are from a rural music and dance tradition from the mountains and farmlands in the center of France -- Auvergne, Berry, Bourbonnais -- and it is absolutely delightful and little-encountered stuff. The Central France music tradition goes back hundreds of years, and primarily features the hurdy-gurdy, the French bagpipes (somewhat quieter and sweeter than their Scottish counterpart), the fiddle, and in more recent centuries, the diatonic button accordion. This is not the music that most people think of when you say "French music", which is the "cafe music" played on piano-keyboard accordions and is much more recent (although Mitch plays and sings a bit of this music also).

Roz and Mitch and their friend Marie-Jo playing on the street in a village, Limousin, July 2006

We were introduced to Central France music and dance at a folk music camp in Mendocino a few years ago, and became hooked. We have since studied it at camps and workshops, including a week-long school of Central France folk music in Auvergne in 2006, and the annual Over The Water Hurdy-Gurdy School in northwest Washington.

Here in Sonoma County, we play together at farmers' markets (including Santa Rosa and Healdsburg) and at mostly outdoor events where a festive "village" sound is called for. (Alternately, we can play indoors for a "French theme" afternoon or evening). We can also teach a few dances, if that fits in with your event -- the dances are charming, simple to learn, and fun -- especially dancing them to live music. In addition to our Central France repertoire, we can play and sing our usual Celtic tunes and songs (with the hammered dulcimer and the Celtic drum) -- and the hurdy-gurdy happens to sound just great in place of a bagpipe on Scottish ballads.

Mitch and Roz at the Healdsburg farmers' market

One way or another, at your event you can expect us to keep things fun and lively, and keep the kids hypnotized...while repeatedly responding to the baffled people pointing at the hurdy-gurdy and their question "what on Earth is that??"

Music Samples

Ton Ruban Bleu. A lively traditional bourree, with Roz on hurdy-gurdy and Mitch on button box (and our pet cockatiel on vocals).

La Marianne. A pretty waltz from central France.

Bourree a Francoise. Another bourree, this one of the "trois temps" (3/8 time) variety. Typical of the Auvergne region.

La Forge. A driving "two-time" bourree, in the darker Bourbonnaise style.

Mitch's French Music Recordings and Books Site

If you are interested in French traditional music, be sure and visit www.frenchtradmusic.com.